Nn Pair Recovering After Wreck In Mathews

MATHEWS — Two Newport News residents injured in a wreck that killed two others early Sunday were still being treated at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Monday afternoon, said a hospital spokeswoman.

Karen Baulbaugh, 37, was in stable condition. David E. Dzula, 40, was in serious but stable condition, the spokeswoman said.

Both were hurt when the car Baulbaugh was driving was struck head-on by another car about 12:18 a.m. Sunday in Mathews, said State Police. The wreck happened on Route 14 near Route 657.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Wednesday, April 19, 1995.An article in Tuesday's Local section incorrectly identified the employer of Jermaine Paige, who died in a traffic accident Sunday, as Norfolk Corp. Paige worked for Northrop Corp. at Fort Eustis.

Killed were a passenger in Baulbaugh's car, Sharon Sue Williams, 48, of Midlothian, and the driver of the other car, Jermaine Paige, 19, of Mathews.

The accident happened when Paige attempted to pass another car on the two-lane road and struck Baulbaugh's vehicle head-on, police said. Authorities believe alcohol may have contributed to the crash but the investigation is not complete, said State Police spokeswoman Tammy Van Dame.

According to Daily Press reports, at least five people have died in wrecks in Gloucester, Mathews or Middlesex counties this year. Alcohol is suspected in wrecks involving three deaths, according to authorities.

At least 17 people died in wrecks in the three counties in 1994. Alcohol was a factor in wrecks that killed 13.

In contrast, in 1993 there were nine fatalities in the three counties, according to State Police. Alcohol was suspected in wrecks that killed six of them.

Williams, Baulbaugh and Dzula apparently were returning to Newport News after attending a performance at Donk's Theater, said a spokeswoman for Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home in Mathews.

Williams, who had no local survivors, will be buried in Missouri. Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Independence, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.

Arrangements for Paige are by Forrest Brothers Funeral Home in Mathews.

Paige's great-uncle, Franklin Jarvis of Cardinal, said Paige worked for the Norfolk Corp. at Fort Eustis as a mechanic. He lived with his grandparents in Mobjack and also is survived by his parents, a sister and a brother, said Jarvis.

Paige ate dinner and practiced music at Jarvis's house Saturday night and left between 9:30 and 10p.m., Jarvis estimated. Jarvis said he doesn't know where Paige went after leaving but said he had never known Paige to drink or use drugs.

Paige was a guitarist for the Holy Temple Church of Apostolic Faith in Gloucester and played with several gospel groups, said Jarvis.